“India and Korea have a cultural relationship which goes back to 2000 years.”

Ambassador of India to Korea Vishnu Prakash started his interview with Maeil Kyungjae on July 30 narrating the historical story involving India and Korea – the story of Queen Huh, a Princess from Ayodhya, India. Ambassador Prakash had paid a visit to the royal tombs of King Suro and Queen Huh in Gimhae City on July 22.  Gimhae city is planning to open ‘Kaya (kingdom) Theme Park in May 2015. An India Pavilion is also being constructed there to hail the 2000 year old love story of Indian Korean Queen Huh.  

“In the year 0048 AD, a Princess from Ayodhya, India came to Korea, married King Kim Suro and became Queen Huh of Korea. We believe that the marriage between the Korean King and Indian Princess was the first international marriage in the world,” he mentioned, recalling his visit to Royal Tombs in Gimhae. “I believe I am the Ambassador of India in the land of my cousins,” he added.

Regarding the new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who has come to power in May Ambassador says, “Prime Minister Modi really likes Korea and has spoken of the importance of Korea-India relationship many times.” And, “Korean companies will now have greater opportunities to take up new projects in India’. 

The infrastructure sector is a big focus area of the Modi Government. India is planning to invest 200 billion dollars (200 trillion won) in infrastructure development every year and is in the process of establishing six new townships along DMIC (Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor) with fast trains connecting the two cities.

“Korean companies have a very good reputation in infrastructure development,” he said, speaking about his expectations of investments by Korean companies in India.

The world too has great economic expectations from Modi’s Government, but some also worry about Hindu Nationalism.  PM Modi has been criticized for his government’s handling of the violence against Muslims in Gujarat when he was the Chief Minister. The Ambassador said that the worries were groundless, “Though Hindus are 85% of India’s population, secular Indian government does not support or oppose any religion,” and “Former Prime Minister was a Sikh and the head of Congress party Sonia Gandhi a catholic Christian.”  “People of all religions in India live in a great harmony and prosper together” he added. It was a message that the entire nation should not be judged or identified by one incident. 

Interviewed by Kim, Duksik , Maeil Business Newspaper